CMIA's cotton project helps 70,000 small African farmers

Cotton made in Africa continues its path of success besides long-term partners an additional 70,000 smallholder farmers benefit from the cotton initiative for the first time. 

 

Cotton made in Africa continues its path of success besides long-term partners an additional 70,000 smallholder farmers benefit from the cotton #

Nearly 70,000 smallholder farmers in Ghana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Côte d'Ivoire benefit from the Cotton made in Africa (CmiA) initiative's program for the first time and are able to market CmiA-tested cotton.

 

Cotton made in Africa continues its path of success besides long-term partners an additional 70,000 smallholder farmers benefit from the cotton #

In this way, the initiative is further expanding its cooperation with smallholder families in Sub-Saharan Africa and making a significant contribution to improving their living conditions. 

 

Cotton made in Africa continues its path of success besides long-term partners an additional 70,000 smallholder farmers benefit from the cotton #

According to the Human Development Index of the United Nations, Ghana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Côte d'Ivoire are among the least developed countries in the world. In order to fully realize their potential, particular in the agricultural sector, CmiA focuses on sustainable and efficient cotton production. 

 

Cotton made in Africa continues its path of success besides long-term partners an additional 70,000 smallholder farmers benefit from the cotton #

For the first time, the initiative is active in Ghana and cooperates with roughly 9,000 local smallholder farmers and the cotton company Olam. CmiA has already successfully contributed to improving the living conditions of smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Côte d'Ivoire. After successfully receiving CmiA standard certification, an additional 61,000 cotton farmers and the cotton companies Alliance in Zimbabwe and Zambia and Seco in Côte d'Ivoire are now initiative partners.

 

Cotton made in Africa continues its path of success besides long-term partners an additional 70,000 smallholder farmers benefit from the cotton #

Through training programs, Cotton made in Africa teaches cotton farmers about modern, efficient, and environmentally friendly cultivation methods that help them improve the quality of their cotton, yield higher crops, and thus earn a better income. 

 

Cotton made in Africa continues its path of success besides long-term partners an additional 70,000 smallholder farmers benefit from the cotton #

Christoph Kaut, Managing Director of the Aid by Trade Foundation, is pleased about this latest milestone, "Not only the farmers but also their family members profit from the newly established cooperations with CmiA: In Ghana we are able to reach about 100,000 persons, in Zimbabwe, Zambia and Côte d'Ivoire roughly 486,000. This is a great success for all participants in the cotton growing regions of Sub-Saharan Africa and for our initiative." In total, about 435,000 smallholder farmers and with their family members included more than 3.2 million people currently participate in the CmiA program. 

 

Cotton made in Africa continues its path of success besides long-term partners an additional 70,000 smallholder farmers benefit from the cotton #

Cotton made in Africa

Cotton made in Africa (CmiA) is an initiative of the Aid by Trade Foundation (AbTF) that provides assistance in helping people help themselves through trade, to improve the living conditions of cotton farmers and their families in Sub-Saharan Africa. Currently, about 435,000 smallholder farmers in Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi, Ghana, and Côte d'Ivoire participate in the CmiA program. 

 

Cotton made in Africa continues its path of success besides long-term partners an additional 70,000 smallholder farmers benefit from the cotton #

Through training programs, Cotton made in Africa teaches the cotton farmers about modern, efficient, and environmentally friendly cultivation methods that will help them improve the quality of their cotton, yield higher crops, and thus earn a better income. An alliance composed of international textile companies established by the foundation purchases the sustainably produced CmiA cotton and pays a licensing fee to the foundation. It is reinvested in the crop regions.

 

Cotton made in Africa continues its path of success besides long-term partners an additional 70,000 smallholder farmers benefit from the cotton #